Bexhill teenager flying high with Seagulls

The 15-year-old central midfielder, who was one of a select band of six players retained from arguably the strongest set of youngsters ever assembled at the Division Two club, will leave school in June to commence the once in a lifetime opportunity.

Lawrence Dorman, PE teacher at Bexhill High, said: "I was absolutely thrilled when he told me. It's always nice when boys get taken on and hopefully he will go on to be a full pro. He's a good lad, keen, enthusiastic. He seems to know what he wants and is keen to work hard to get it.

"I think he can make a living out of it. The one thing I've noticed is that his passing and his vision are very good which is good to see and unusual in a player that young. He can pick a pass and execute it a bit like Zidane."

Lee has represented South East Sussex Schools at all ages and has regularly starred for Sussex schoolboys with whom he has played a key role in the under-16s' progression to the final of the English Schools' FA Inter-County Trophy at Leyton Orient's Brisbane Road ground on Sunday when they will take on Shropshire.